Sudoku game device

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a Sudoku game device, including: a housing; a printed circuit board; a microcontroller comprising at least a video out port, an audio out port, and a signal in port, wherein the video out port and the audio out port can be coupled with a display device and the signal in port can be coupled with an input device which is provided with at least an input keypad; a first memory for storing data; and a second memory for storing the program of the microcontroller to process Sudoku puzzles. With the input keypad, users can execute a Sudoku puzzle, create their own Sudoku puzzles, or execute other operations. Also, the results of Sudoku puzzles can be displayed in a 3×3 block on the display device. Furthermore, the present invention also provide a Sudoku game device which can display at least one mark in a 3×3 block on the display device for users&#39; ease of use and observation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a Sudoku game device, and in particular, to a Sudoku game device which can be displayed on a TV screen, users can create their own puzzles, and can display at least one mark in a 3×3 block on the display device, providing users easy use and observation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the popular number puzzle Sudoku, for example, numbers 1 to 9 are filled into a 3×3 block with the restriction that each number can only appear once in every row and column. However, numbers displayed in conventional number puzzle devices do not have any marking function. When users fill one possible number into one of the empty blocks and the number filled is incorrect, a number has to be filled in again until it is correct. In this way, pen and paper are necessary to record the numbers which have already been tried to prevent a number from being filled twice, causing inconvenience to users. Furthermore, the present Sudoku game device does not allow users to create their puzzles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the shortcoming of the prior art described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Sudoku game device, which can display at least one mark in the 3×3 block on the display device, providing users easy use and observation.

To solve the shortcoming of the prior art described above, it is another object of the present invention to provide a Sudoku game device, which users can create their own puzzles.

To solve the shortcoming of the prior art described above, it is another object of the present invention to provide a Sudoku game device, which has an extension slot for users to insert various memory cards.

In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention described above, the present invention provides a Sudoku game device, including: a housing; a printed circuit board; a microcontroller comprising at least a video out port, an audio out port, and a signal in port, wherein the video out port and the audio out port can be coupled with a display device and the signal in port can be coupled with an input device which is provided with at least an input keypad; a first memory for storing data; and a second memory for storing the program of the microcontroller to process Sudoku puzzles. With the input keypad, users can execute a Sudoku puzzle, create their own Sudoku puzzles, or execute other operations, and the results can be displayed in a 3×3 block on the display device.

In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a Sudoku game device, including: a housing; a printed circuit board disposed in the housing to accommodate the devices described later; a microcontroller disposed on the printed circuit board and comprising at least a video out port, an audio out port, and a signal in port, wherein the video out port and the audio out port can be coupled with a display device and the signal in port can be coupled with an input device which is provided with at least an input keypad; a first memory disposed on the printed circuit board for storing data; and a second memory disposed on the printed circuit board for storing the program of the microcontroller to process Sudoku puzzles. With the input keypad, users can execute a Sudoku puzzle, conduct marking numbers in a Sudoku puzzle, or execute other operations, and the results can be displayed in a 3×3 block on the display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a Sudoku game device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a Sudoku game device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the startup screen of a Sudoku game device according to the present invention;

FIGS. 4 a to 4 e are the schematic illustrations of the screens displayed on the display device 40 when users execute the option of self-created puzzles 73 in a Sudoku game device according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 5 a to 5 b are the schematic illustrations of the screens displayed on the display device 40 when users execute the item of marking numbers in another embodiment of a Sudoku game device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a perspective view and a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a Sudoku game device, respectively, according to the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a Sudoku game device according to the present invention includes a housing 10; a printed circuit board 20, a microcontroller 30, a first memory 35, and a second memory 36.

Wherein, the housing 10 is to accommodate the printed circuit board 20, the microcontroller 30, first memory 35 and the second memory 36. The housing 10 further comprises an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12. The upper housing 11 is provided with a plurality of openings and holes of different sizes (not shown).

The printed circuit board 20 is disposed in the housing 10 to accommodate the microcontroller 30, the first memory 35, and the second memory 36.

The microcontroller 30 is disposed on the printed circuit board 20, comprising at least an audio out port 31, an audio out port 32, and a signal in port 33, wherein the video out port 31 and the audio out port 32 can be coupled with a display device 40, which can be, for example but not limited to, a TV, a plasma TV, a LCD TV, and so on, through a terminal (can protrude out of the housing 10, not shown). The terminal can be an AV terminal or a S terminal, which is a conventional technology and will not be discussed here further. The signal in port 33 can be coupled with an input device 50 which is provided with at least an input keypad 51. Furthermore, the microcontroller 30 further comprises an infrared in port 34, which can be coupled wirelessly with a remote control device 60.

The first memory 35 is disposed on the printed circuit board 20 and coupled with the microcontroller 30 to store data. The first memory 35 is preferably a random access memory (RAM), which is, for example but not limited to, a static random access memory (SRAM) for storing data and users to create their own puzzles.

The second memory 36 is disposed on the printed circuit board 20 and coupled with the microcontroller 30 to store the program of the microcontroller (for example but not limited to a firmware program, not shown) to process Sudoku puzzles. The second memory 36 is preferably a read-only memory (ROM).

Furthermore, the input device 50 can be a joy stick, on which at least an input keypad 51 is provided. The input keypad 51 comprises an A key 511, a left key 512, a right key 513, an up key 514, and a down key 515.

The remote control device 60 is an infrared remote device, on which is provided with at least an input keypad 61. The input keypad 61 comprises an A key 611, a left key 612, a right key 613, an up key 614, and a down key 615.

Furthermore, a Sudoku game device according to the present invention further comprises an extension slot 37, which is coupled with the microcontroller 30 and protrudes from the housing 10. Users can insert various memory cards (not shown), in which various puzzles can be saved, into the extension slot 37.

With a Sudoku game device according to the present invention, users can operate the input keypad 51 or 61 to execute a Sudoku puzzle, create their own puzzles, or other operations, in the microcontroller, and the results can be displayed in a 3×3 block on the display device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the startup screen of a Sudoku game device according to the present invention. Referring to the FIG. 3, when a Sudoku game device according to the present invention is turned on, the display device 40 will display options including: loading a new game 71, loading an old game 72, self-created puzzles 73, multiplayer contest 74, and so on. Wherein, when users select the item of loading a new game 71, the microcontroller 30 will load a Sudoku puzzle randomly from the second memory 36 according to different levels of game (referring to FIG. 4) and display the puzzle on the display device 40.

FIG. 4 a to 4 e are the schematic illustrations of the screens displayed on the display device 40 when users execute the option of self-created puzzles 73 in a Sudoku game device according to the present invention. Referring to the FIG. 4 a, when a Sudoku game device according to the present invention is executing the item of creating a new game 73, a empty 3×3 block 80 will be displayed on the display device 40, and the 3×3 block 80 further displays items including time 811, level 812, partial check 813, surrender 814, clear 815, help 816, save 817, and check 818. Users can use the left key 512, the right key 513, the up key 514, and the down key 515 (the joy stick 50 is taken as an example for the purpose of explanation here) to move to a target field 82 and click the A key 511 to make a number box 85 (as shown in FIG. 4 b), which will be shown on the upper right of the display device 40. The number box 85 includes the numbers 851 (including 1 to 9), an execution (OK) frame 852, and a clear frame 853, and the number box 85 further comprises a movable select frame 854. Users use the left key 512, the right key 513, the up key 514, and the down key 515 to move the select frame 854 to a number in the numbers 851 (referring to FIG. 4 c) and click the A key to make the selected number (3, for example) in the numbers 851 display in the target field 82 with a specific color as its background (yellow, for example). Furthermore, move the select frame 854 to the execution frame 852 and click the A key 511 to make the number box 85 disappear and the selected number 3 (referring to FIG. 4 d) appears in the target field 82. Repeat the operation of using the left key 512, the right key 513, the up key 514, and the down key 515 to move the target field 82 and input numbers to finish the process of creating a new puzzle (referring to FIG. 4 e).

Accordingly, a Sudoku game device according to the present invention can provide users to create their own puzzles or execute the partial check 813, the surrender 814, the clear 815, the help 816, the save 817, and the check 818, and the results can be displayed in a 3×3 block on the display device 40.

FIG. 5 a to 5 b are the schematic illustrations of the screens displayed on the display device 40 when users execute the option of marking numbers in another embodiment of a Sudoku game device according to the present invention. Referring to the FIG. 5 a, apart from providing the function for users to create their own puzzles, a Sudoku game device according to the present invention can execute the option of marking numbers. When users select the option of loading a new game 71 or the option of loading an old game 72, the display device 40 will display a 3×3 block 80 provided with at least a number field 83 and at least an empty field 84. Users can move a select frame 87 to the number field 83 or the empty field 84 to conduct the marking procedure.

Referring to FIG. 5 a, when users move the select frame 87 to the empty field 84 and clicks the A key 511 to call the number box 85, the number box 85 will be shown on the upper right of the display device 40. The number box 85 includes the numbers 851 (including 1 to 9), an execution frame 852, and a clear frame 853, and the number box 85 further comprises a movable select frame 854. Users use the left key 512, the right key 513, the up key 514, and the down key 515 to move the select frame 854 to a number (5, for example) in the numbers 851 and click the A key 511 to make the selected number 5 display in the empty field 84.

When users move the select frame 87 to the number field 83 and clicks the A key 511 to call the number box 85, the number box 85 will be shown on the upper right of the display device 40. The number box 85 includes the numbers 851 (including 1 to 9), an execution frame 852, and a clear frame 853, and the number box 85 further comprises a movable select frame 854. Users use the left key 512, the right key 513, the up key 514, and the down key 515 to move the select frame 854 to the selected number (5, for example) and click the A key 511. Then the number field 83 will be further divided into a small 3×3 block and more than two numbers (1, 2, 5, 7, 9, for example) will be displayed separately in the cells of the small 3×3 block. Referring to FIG. 5 b, when users select two numbers (5 and 6, for example), the empty field 84 will display the two numbers in their respective cells in a small 3×3 block. When users select three numbers (2, 4, and 9, for example), the empty field 84 will display the three numbers in their respective cells in a small 3×3 block. When users select four numbers (2, 4, 5, and 9, for example), the empty field 84 will display the four numbers in their respective cells in a small 3×3 block. When users select five numbers (1, 2, 4, 7, and 9, for example), the empty field 84 will display the five numbers in their respective cells in a small 3×3 block. When users select six numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9, for example), the empty field 84 will display the six numbers in their respective cells in a small 3×3 block. When users select seven numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9, for example), the empty field 84 will display the seven numbers in their respective cells in a small 3×3 block. When users select eight numbers (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, for example), the empty field 84 will display the eight numbers in their respective cells in a small 3×3 block. When users select nine numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, for example), the empty field 84 will display the nine numbers in their respective cells in a small 3×3 block.

Accordingly, a Sudoku game device according to the present invention can provide users to create their own puzzles or execute the partial check 813, the Surrender 814, the clear 815, the help 816, the save 817, and the check 818, and the results can be displayed in a 3×3 block on the display device 40.

With a Sudoku game device according to the present invention, puzzles can be displayed on a TV screen, users can create their own puzzles, and at least one mark can be displayed in a 3×3 block on the display device, providing users easy use and observation. It is appreciated that a Sudoku game device according to the present invention can improve the shortcoming of prior-art devices

While the invention has been described with reference to the a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 

1. A Sudoku game device, comprising: a housing; a printed circuit board disposed in the housing to accommodate the devices described later; a microcontroller disposed on the printed circuit board and comprising at least a video out port, an audio out port, and a signal in port, wherein the video out port and the audio out port can be coupled with a display device and the signal in port can be coupled with an input device which is provided with at least an input keypad; a first memory disposed on the printed circuit board for storing data; and a second memory disposed on the printed circuit board for storing the program of the microcontroller to process Sudoku puzzles; with the input keypad, users can execute a Sudoku puzzle, create their own Sudoku puzzles, or execute other operations, and the results can be displayed in a 3×3 block on the display device.
 2. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the input device can be a joy stick.
 3. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller further comprises an infrared in port, which can be coupled wirelessly with a remote control device.
 4. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first memory is a random access memory for storing data and users to create their own puzzles.
 5. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second memory is read-only memory.
 6. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the display device is a TV, a plasma TV, or a LCD TV.
 7. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the input keypad comprises at least an A key, a left key, a right key, an up key, and a down key.
 8. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 7, wherein the display device will display options including: loading a new game, loading an old game, self-created puzzles, multiplayer contest.
 9. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 8, wherein the 3×3 block further displays items including time, level, partial check, surrender, clear, help, save, and check.
 10. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 9, wherein when users select the option of loading a new game, the microcontroller will load a Sudoku puzzle randomly from the second memory according to different levels of game and display the puzzle on the display device.
 11. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 9, wherein when users select to self-created puzzles, the display device will display an empty 3×3 block. Users can use the left key, the right key, the up key, and the down key to move to a target field and click the A key to call a number box, which will be shown on the upper right of the display device and the number box includes numbers (including 1 to 9), an execution (OK) frame, and a clear frame, and the number box further comprises a movable select frame; users can use the left key, the right key, the up key, and the down key to move the select frame to the number selected and click the A key to make the selected number display in the target field with a specific color as its background; furthermore, users can move the select frame to the execution frame and click the A key to make the number box disappear and the selected number appear in the target field; users repeat the operation of using the left key, the right key, the up key, and the down key to move the target field and input numbers to finish the process of creating new puzzles.
 12. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 1, further comprising an extension slot, which is coupled with the microcontroller and protrudes from the housing, and users can insert various memory cards, in which various puzzles can be saved, into the extension slot.
 13. A Sudoku game device, comprising: a housing; a printed circuit board disposed in the housing to accommodate the devices described later; a microcontroller disposed on the printed circuit board and comprising at least a video out port, an audio out port, and a signal in port, wherein the video out port and the audio out port can be coupled with a display device and the signal in port can be coupled with an input device which is provided with at least an input keypad; a first memory disposed on the printed circuit board for storing data; and a second memory disposed on the printed circuit board for storing the program of the microcontroller to process Sudoku puzzles; with the input keypad, users can execute a Sudoku puzzle, conduct marking numbers in a Sudoku puzzle, or execute other operations, and the results can be displayed in a 3×3 block on the display device.
 14. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 13, wherein the input device can be a joy stick.
 15. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 13, wherein the microcontroller further comprises an infrared in port, which can be coupled wirelessly with a remote control device.
 16. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 13, wherein the first memory is a random access memory for storing data and users to create their own puzzles.
 17. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 13, wherein the second memory is read-only memory.
 18. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 13, wherein the display device is a TV, a plasma TV, or a LCD TV.
 19. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 13, wherein the input keypad comprises at least an A key, a left key, a right key, an up key, and a down key.
 20. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 13, wherein the display device will display options including: loading a new game, loading an old game, self-created puzzles, multiplayer contest.
 21. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 20, wherein the 3×3 block further displays items including time, level, partial check, surrender, clear, help, save, and check.
 22. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 21, wherein when users select the option of loading a new game, the microcontroller will load a Sudoku puzzle randomly from the second memory according to different levels of game and display the puzzle on the display device.
 23. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 20, wherein when users select the option of loading a new game or the option of loading an old game, the display device will display a 3×3 block provided with at least a number field and at least an empty field 84, and users can move a select frame to the number field or the empty field to conduct the marking procedure.
 24. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 23, wherein the procedure of marking number is that when users move the select frame to the empty field and clicks the A key to call the number box, the number box will be shown on the upper right of the display device, and the number box includes numbers (including 1 to 9), an execution frame, and a clear frame, and the number box further comprises a movable select frame; use the left key, the right key, the up key, and the down key to move the select frame to the number selected and click the A key to make the selected number display in the empty field; when users select more than two numbers in the empty field, the empty field will be further divided into a small 3×3 block, in which the more than two numbers are displayed separately in the small 3×3 block.
 25. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 23, wherein the procedure of marking numbers is that when users move the select frame to the number field and click the A key to call the number box, the number box will be shown on the upper right of the display device, and the number box includes numbers (including 1 to 9), an execution frame, and a clear frame, and the number box further comprises a movable select frame; use the left key, the right key, the up key, and the down key to move the select frame to the selected number and click the A key and the number field will be further divided into a small 3×3 block and the selected number and the present number will be displayed separately in the cells of the small 3×3 block.
 26. The Sudoku game device as defined in claim 13, further comprising an extension slot, which is coupled with the microcontroller and protrudes from the housing, and users can insert various memory cards, in which various puzzles can be saved, into the extension slot. 